Chapter 4 – An Explanation or Lack Thereof
Hermione felt her patience waning. She'd been standing in front of Professor Snape's desk for fifteen minutes now. After having followed him to the dungeons, he'd simply sat at his desk and began reading. Since then, she'd been standing while he resolutely ignored her presence.
She berated herself for being such a coward. You're a Griffindor! Merlin's beard! Say something! With a glint of determination in her eyes, Hermione spoke "Professor, you've yet to tell me why I'm here."
Snape slowly looked up at her from his seat, annoyed at having been interrupted. "Albus seems to believe that you could somehow be of… assistance to me." he replied.
Hermione smirked at this and said "Well what exactly are you researching Professor? I'm quite certain I could help."
Snape sneered "Oh most definitely Miss Granger. I dare say there mustn't be a subject you know nothing about. It seems the student body made their first and only astute observation when dubbing you the resident Know-It-All." These last three words were spoken with as much disgust Snape could muster.
Hermione flushed in embarrassment. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! What did I think I was going to get as an answer? However, she held her head high. "Regardless of what the student body thinks, sir, Dumbledore seems to believe that you need my help."
Snape sent her an icy glare. What an insolent child, does she truly believe she measures up to me? Bloody Griffindor courage, they should know better than to bait the noble house of Slytherin.
"Very well Miss Granger, since you insist on gracing me with your presence, I'm quite certain I can put you to good use." Snape acknowledged.
Hermione visibly brightened, a small glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
"There are always cauldrons to be cleaned; I find the magical residue from the potions is better removed without magic." Snape continued, smirking nastily.
Hermione stared at him dumbstruck; this was definitely not what she had in mind.
"Your task awaits Miss Granger" Snape said as he pointed his wand towards the cauldrons.
Hermione was beside herself with rage as she stormed over to begin her task.
Smirking behind his hair, Snape congratulated himself on taking Miss Granger down from her proverbial high horse. Satisfied, he turned back to the numerous volumes on his desk. His eyes going back to the book he was reading before. He distractedly wondered how in the world Albus could have possibly thought that the insufferable chit could actually help him. Snorting in amusement at having bested the old coot, he immersed himself in his reading.
Hermione looked up, having heard a snort of amusement and frowned when she realized Snape was probably laughing at how easily she fell into his trap. Insufferable git, she thought as she scrubbed the cauldron vigorously.
An hour and a half later, Snape was pacing the room moodily, book in hand and a frown on his face.
Hermione had just finished the last of the cauldrons, face flushed and arms sore.
It was at this moment that Dumbledore chose to make his presence known.
"I daresay it is time for supper! Severus, have you gotten anywhere?" Albus asked politely, drawing the attention of both occupants in the room to himself.
Severus glowered at the Headmaster and stated simply "The classroom is infinitely cleaner Albus, and I've read a few interesting passages."
Albus' eyebrows rose. "Well then, now that Miss Granger has proven her cauldron cleaning abilities, surely she can move on to something more intellectually stimulating. I'm quite sure you cannot read all those books at the same time, my boy."
"Perhaps." Snape replied noncommittally, glancing at Hermione, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"You may want to supply Miss Granger with muscle soothing balm as I'm quite sure her arms are sore." Albus suggested, eyes twinkling.
Snape scowled and drawled "Terribly sorry Miss Granger, I've just finished the last of my stock last night."
Albus' lips thinned in displeasure. "How timely, Severus. I daresay she will not be doing any more petty tasks then for the rest of the week." With a smile and a wink at Hermione, the Headmaster left for the Great Hall.
Hermione made her way towards the exit as well and just as she was about to leave the room Snape called to her "Meet me in my office at 7p.m. sharp tomorrow evening, Miss Granger."
Hermione turned towards Snape and nodded once before leaving for supper.